Collapsible box



Dan. M, 1935. s. HOFFMAN 2,023,886

COLLAPSIBLE BOX Filed Aug. 17, 1.934

e k 1 ilk 10 7 e, Fi .1. L I a? as I I 9 i l l as a l [I Patented Dec.10, 1935 NHTED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application August 1'7,

2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in collapsible boxes.

An object of my invention is to provide a convenient device of thecharacter specified, which is particularly adapted for use in thedelivery of merchandise from the retail shopkeeper to the consumer whereit is desirable to provide a receptacle which may be stacked in adelivery truck for convenient handling, and folded or collapsed forstoring.

A further object of my invention is to provide a light, strong anddurable collapsible box. A further object of my invention is to providemeans whereby boxes of the character specified may be conveniently andsecurely stacked.

A preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of thedevice,

Figure 2 is a plan View of the same,

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2 and Figure 4 is a viewof the box folded or collapsed.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

My improved box comprises two hinged side panels I and 2, two end panels3 and 4, a bottom panel 5, hinged to one of the side panels, and a pairof handle members 6 and i, the ends of which form dowels for the cornerhinges as hereinafter described.

The adjacent marginal edge sections of the panels I, 2, 3 and 4 are cutout at intervals and bent or rolled inwardly to form spaced tubularmarginal beads 8, 9, I and H which intermesh and form wing sockets forthe legs or dowels I2, I3, I4 and I5 of the handle members 6 and Irespectively.

The lower marginal edge section I6 of the panel 2 is cut out atintervals and bent or rolled inwardly to form spaced tubular marginalwing beads I1 and like tubular marginal beads I8 are formed on theadjacent marginal edge of the bottom panel 5 which said tubular beadsintermesh to form a tubular socket for the shaft or dowel I9.

The free edge section 20 of the bottom panel 5 is bent to form a hooksection which rests upon the inwardly bent marginal edge 2I of the sidepanel I.

The bottom panel 5 is shorter than the side panels I and 2 and is spacedfrom the end panels 3 and 4, thereby forming seats 22, 23 between theshort ends of the bottom panel 5 and the end 1934, Serial No. 740,271

panels 3 and 4 of the box, which are adapted to receive the bails orhandles 6 and I of the box below when two or more counterpart boxes arestacked one above the other.

The free marginal edges 2d, 25, 26 and 21 of the 5 panels I, 2, 3 and imay be rolled over to form stiffening beads.

The bottom panel 5 is thus hinged, as above described, to the side panel2 and swings on its hinge, and when lowered to its normal position foruse, the free edge of the bottom panel 5 rests upon the marginal bead ofthe opposite panel I and, when so positioned, the box is held thereby inits open operative position and the box may then be carried by thehandles or bails 6 and l. '15

When a plurality of said boxes are stacked one above the other, thehandle 6 and I of the lower box enters the seats 22, 23 of the upperbox, thus holding the stack against accidental displacement butpermitting the stack to be easily taken down and the upper box of thestack removed.

When it is desired to collapse the box for storing or the like, thebottom panel 5 is raised on its hinge into parallel relation with theside 2 and the panels I, 2, 3 and 4 are folded on their re- 25 spectivehinges.

I prefer to form the handles 6 and I of wire or the like and to soposition them that when they enter the said seats 22, 23 in a box above,they will lie close against the end panels 3 and 4 of the said 38 upperbox so that the contents of such upper box may not be disturbed thereby.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A collapsible box comprising in combination two side panels, two endpanels, hinges connecting the said panels, a bottom panel hinged to oneof the said side panels and spaced at its respective ends from the saidend panels to form seats for the handles of a box below, and a pair ofhan- 40 dle members having legs which form dowels for the said hinges onthe side panels and end panels.

2. A collapsible box comprising in combination two side panels, tubularmarginal Wing beads thereon, two end panels, tubular marginal wing beadson said end panels and intermeshing with the said first named beads,dowels in said tubular beads and extending above the said panels to formhandles, and a bottom panel hinged to one of the said side panels andspaced from the end panels to form seats for the handles of a box belowthe same.

SAMUEL HOFFMAN.

